Autograph document signed and dated February 23, 1591 attesting to a tenor's service to a Milanese chapel

1 page. Folio. Document executed in an attractive late 16th century hand certifying that one Giovanni Battista Rossoni di Caravagio served as a tenor at a chapel in Milan.

Slightly worn and soiled; browned at edges; creased at central fold; one small hole not affecting text.

Valdessio describes himself in the present document as a "maestro di castello" in Milan, the ensemble attached to the Spanish garrison. We have been unable to locate any additional biographical information on Valdessio.

Rossoni appears as having moved to the Duomo's choir in 1592 (see printed-sacred-music.org/manuscripts/00000000002914); he is gone from the lists by 1600, thus he would have been at the Castle from 1587-91 and the Duomo thereafter, most probably until his death.

We would like to thank Professor Robert L. Kendrick of the University of Chicago for his kind assistance in the cataloguing of this item. Item #21833